Race-by-race preview and tips for Monday meeting at Wellington

Race 3 – 1.40pm: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)

Former Victorian 2. Check Your Six can break through coming back 100m in trip; especially with the early hot favourite preferred at Sunday’s Wyong meeting. Came off a break to hit the line well in his first outing for the new central-west stable; and even better suited on drying ground; he gets a stronger and more experienced jockey taking over for what is a modest lineup.

Dangers: Big watch on 7. O’explosive from the Bjorn Baker stable resuming without the blinkers behind two easy trials; while 6. My Turn Astern is on an 11-day backup coming through a handy maiden. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Check Your Six to win

Race 4 – 2.15pm: MAIDEN PLATE (900m)

Improving mare 3. Aspen Boulevard can strike fourth-up from a low draw, with key gear changes. Has stuck on well after leading in her last two, only beaten by small margins after working from wider draws. Gets a timely weight drop after the jockeys claim; and the drop back 100m in distance is a further plus.

Dangers: Watch for any money around 9. The Git Up who resumes off a seven-month spell without the blinkers, or publicly trialling. Has plenty of ability, and only missed a place once in five runs last campaign. Keep safe 7. Miss Adamas fourth-uip with blinkers going on; while lightly raced 1. Pattera can run into minor money. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Aspen Boulevard to win

Race 5 – 2.50pm: CLASS 2 HCP (1600m)

Consistent mare 5. No Second Thoughts is well-placed deep into the prep from a sound trailing draw. Hasn’t missed a place this campaign, the latest close-up at Nowra in a BM 58 before working home from slightly further back in a strong CL1 at Goulburn. Comes through some superior form lines and desperately looking for this longer trip now. Is again drawn to settle right behind the speed.

Dangers: Big watch on 3. Magnace who made up plenty of ground third-up in the deeper Cup Prelude at Dubbo, and gets an extra furlong here. 4. Ocean Honour has ability and comes back in trip after missing narrowly in the BM 75 Louth Cup. Another one emerging through a handy Dubbo form line is 6. Outback Crumpet who gets a timely 2kg weight drop staying at the distance; while 8. Way To Divine behind a smart last-start maiden win is the next best.

How to play it: No Second Thoughts to win

Race 6 – 3.25pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1000m)

Improving mare 2. Octavian Treasure reloads off an 11-day turnaround after being beaten a long neck in a handy sprint when backed from $5.50 into $4.40. That form reads well given she was coming off a freshen-up and had to work early from a wider barrier. Can park right behind the leader here from a more economical gate; and previously had bolted in her maiden at Tamworth before tackling much tougher CL2 Highway company at Rosehill.

Dangers: 5. Green Pineapple is lightly raced, and resumed with a tidy Maiden win in heavy going. 6. Not Written Off returns off a long break via two spaced trials, but can come to hand quickly. 7. Magic Madonna also won her maiden first–up when launching from the back; while including both 1. Legolas and 9. Tincity, in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Octavian Treasure to win

Race 7 – 4.05pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1100m)

Progressive mare 5. Ms Reeves peaks third-up in a wide-open race over 100m further. Resumed for just his second full prep off a forward trial when failing to finish off in a handy BM 58 at Dubbo; but a much better run at the same track on a Soft 7 last time when working home okay into a place through inferior ground. The extra distance here is a bonus, and so too is a drying track, with both wins from nine career starts coming on a Good-rated surface.

Dangers: Plenty starting with 10. Obey who peaks fourth-up from a good cover draw. 11. Hampton Cove is hard fit and reloads off a fighting win in weaker grade four weeks ago. Honest 6. Sunday Bell drops significantly in grade deep into his prep. Both 2. That’s Better improving third-up; and 8. Cheap Shot are worthy inclusions in exotic plays.

How to play it: Ms Reeves each way

Race 8 – 4.40pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1100m)

Underrated 3. Shaquila finds a race with slightly less quality deep into his prep. Swept home to easily win a CL1 in heavy going before again hitting the line hard from well back in this grade at Warren. Ridden closer in his next two and wasn’t beaten far. With good speed on; can be ridden a little quieter and get to the outside past the 350m. Like most of the stock handles all ground.

Dangers: Resuming from a soft draw behind an impressive trial win, 4. Taborca is the immediate threat. Big watch too on 10. Kora Magic drawn inside third-up, with a key jockey change. 11. Simply Better is also right in the mix from a better draw; while 1. Pyromania draws wide, but is very fit coming through some handy formlines.

How to play it: Shaquila to win

Race 9 – 5.20pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m)

Improving 1. Naval Destroyer can bounce back second-up with blinkers replacing winkers after failing to handle wet and inferior ground when resuming in a deeper CL2. Was always hard in the market when claiming his maiden third-up last prep; and while he climbs in weight; less depth here and he’s clearly at his best on firmer ground. Drawn towards the middle this time where he can track up from midfield before producing a superior final burst.

Dangers: 3. Bliss has gone under narrowly in her last two. 7. Barry The Poet recaptured his best form last start charging home to win a similar-graded race. 11. Cafe Award also comes off a smart second-up maiden win; while 13. Sheza Rainbird is the best of the rest second-up.

How to play it: Naval Destroyer to win

BEST BETS

R4 3. ASPEN BOULEVARD
R6 2. OCTAVIAN TREASURE

BEST VALUE
R8 3. SHAQUILA

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au